On the brink of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly, an online international summit, entitled “Trans-Atlantic Summit on Iran Policy, Time to Hold the Iranian Regime Accountable,” brought together Iranians in various countries around the world from 10,000 locations.

Among the personalities who addressed the summit were 30 bipartisan U.S. lawmakers from the House and the Senate, including Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Roy Blunt, Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Bob Menendez, and dignitaries like Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor, General James Jones, National Security Advisor to President Obama (2009-2010), Newt Gingrich, 50th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Joseph Lieberman, former U.S. Senator, as well as a delegation of U.K. lawmakers, and Amb. Giulio Terzi, former Foreign Minister of Italy.

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and the keynote speaker of the summit, paid tribute to Navid Afkari, a rebellious national hero recently executed by the regime and said: “Faced with executions and massacres, the people of Iran urge the United Nations, and the U.N. Security Council, in particular, to restore snapback sanctions stipulated in the six U.N. resolutions against the clerical regime in Iran. Otherwise, Khamenei will continue to ravage the nation as his regime’s survival depends on murder and suppression. If Khamenei were to stop executions, he would lose control of the situation, and uprisings simmering in the depths of Iranian society would erupt and overthrow the mullahs’ religious fascism.”

Speakers in the summit demanded justice for over 30,000 MEK and other activists, political prisoners massacred in 1988. They urged an end to the policy of appeasement and demanded those who ordered and carried out this great crime, who currently occupy high positions in the regime, to be brought to justice.
U.S. Senator Bob Menendez joined the summit. In his remarks, Senator Menendez said, “Unfortunately, the Iranian regime continues to give us reason to doubt that future, and to show the world that it has no intention of changing its oppressive and reprehensible behavior.”

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez

I’m glad to be joining with you once again to stand with the Iranian people as they continue to fight for their fundamental human rights and hold the Iranian regime accountable for its ongoing human rights abuses and its support for terrorism.  As I said earlier this year, I’m pleased to see that you are joined today by many of your compatriots in Albania.  Your safety and security prove that dedicated advocacy and fighting for your cause can improve your situation.  And hope that all Iranian people may some day be able to live in safety, dignity, and freedom.  Unfortunately, the Iranian regime continues to give us reason to doubt that future, and to show the world that it has no intention of changing its oppressive and reprehensible behavior. 

Over the weekend, despite local and international appeals, the Iranian regime hanged wrestling champion, Navid Afkari.  His crime was participating in a protest against the regime.  With no evidence and a forced confession, the regime convicted him for killing an undercover agent.  We know the real reason they wanted him silenced.  He was a strong voice for the voiceless against an oppressive regime and for justice for his fellow compatriots. 

Over the past year, we’ve seen Iran prove again on the world stage that it is not interested in making peace with its neighbors or respecting Iranian human rights.  Beyond its abuses of people at home, the regime continues to support terrorism and the brutal regime of Bashar al-Assad and continues on its path towards nuclear weapons. 

While in Congress, we may have differing approaches about the best way to address the threat from Iran, rest assured that we remain united against the regime’s fundamental abuses against its citizens, oppressing and denying fundamental rights to women, jailing peaceful activists, threatening journalists.  Moreover, we stand united in our efforts to prevent Iran from continuing to export its ideology in the form of terrorist actors and destabilizing activities.  And we are united in preventing Iran from being able to threaten her neighbors and the world with a nuclear weapon. 

We must engage in diplomatic efforts in concert with our like-minded partners and in concert with people who appreciate and value the role of human rights and democratic values. Thank you, again, for the work you’re doing on behalf of the Iranian people.